Subra Tangirala: Employee Silence on Critical Work Issues

Morela interviews Subra Tangirala about research he and Ranga Ramanujam did on the managerial and organizational implications of employee silence. They propose that managers can prevent employee silence by creating a procedurally fair climate within the organization, as well as increasing their employees’ workgroup identification and professional commitment.

Subra Tangirala ( stangirala@rhsmith.umd.edu ) is an Assistant Professor of Management and Organization at the University of Maryland’s Smith School of Business. His research focuses on interpersonal communication in organizations, and in particular, how technology is influencing the way employees communicate with each other. Recently, he has also explored reasons why employees often remain silent despite having information, concerns, or suggestions to share, and what organizations can do to facilitate candid exchange of ideas at the workplace. Professor Tangirala received his Ph.D. in organizational behavior and human resources from Purdue University. Prior to his doctoral studies, he worked for several years as a human resources manager.